AN artist has hit the heights of upcycling with a beautiful chandelier made almost entirely of discarded pieces of glass.

Adorn, created by Helen Pailing, who is studying for her PhD Recrafting Waste in Glass and Ceramics at the University of Sunderland, is on display at National Glass Centre.

The chandelier was made using almost 1,000 pieces of salvaged glass from Wearside Glass Sculptures. To the glass makers these pieces are the ‘remnants’ – rejected pieces of all different sizes.

Helen is interested in re-using materials that have been cast aside and considered as valueless. She takes these items and reworks them, transforming waste material into art works.

She said: “I loved the organic shape and form of this glass, created as a result of the making process.

“Building on my background in textiles a glass hook was added and then, with help from volunteers, each piece was wrapped it in copper foil. This changes the way we perceive the waste glass and the result is intended as a form of gentle activism.”

Adorn will change over time as the environment affects the finish of the copper.

Helen added: “It hangs like a giant pendant, an adornment for the building.”